Words

Close your eyes.

Picture a word. Picture it in the shape of a fruit, ripe and luscious hanging from a branch.
In the cool dawn air you approach the word.
Picture the word. Stop a few paces away and admire it as it sways gently in the breeze. On mine, it’s colors in contrast with the green, green leaves, like a glowing jewel in an emerald crown. The rising sun enhances your word in it’s warm, radiant ascent. What does your word look like? If it's not beautifuk, maybe move on to another one. You don't want anything but the best word.
A bird alights on the branch and your word is shaken. It begins to fall
Fall
Fall

Reach out and catch your word.
There!
Now you are holding your word. You feel it? I have mine right here. Mine is firm, bursting with flavors beneath its smooth surface.
What’s your word feel like?
If your word feels mushy and wormy, throw it into the nearby lake for the ducks to enjoy.
But if your word feels right, and only you can feel it, pull out the bag you brought along especially for it. Place your word carefuly into your bag and continue on through the orchard. Do you see any more delicious words among the trees? Wonderful words that are in season, such as Peaceful, Amicable, Mediation, Calm, Tranquil, Faith, Love …
When you’re finished looking and have found all the words you want, leave the orchard.

NOW
Picture yourself with a friend. Picture her looking agitated, nervous. Picture her trying to tell you that she broke your favorite cd; that she accidentally ruined your favorite sweater; that she—. She seems really uncomfortable and really sorry. Your friend stutters as she tries to get the words out, “I, well, then it just, I mean—“.
Picture yourself. It was your favorite _____. And now it’s gone, over, destroyed. You’re frowning. Your face feels hot and red. Your hands are clutched in fists and your mind is racing. You want to Scream, to Yell, to Crush her.
Open your bag and pick out one of the words. Pick out Peaceful, Amicable, Mediation, Calm, Tranquil, Faith, Love… Take a bite. Chew a few times. Swallow.
Smile. Tell your friend that it’s ok.
Picture a few girls in a fight. They’re argueing about _____. Give them a word.
Or even a sentence.
If you run out of words, or cant find one whose flavor matches the situation, go back to that orchard and in the cool dawn air pick some more. There are so many words that the orchard will never run out.
You can open your eyes soon, but before you do, just a word of caution.
Every word you chew will not only be heard by the other person or people, but it goes in you. Check your words carefully before you take them because you don’t want to end up swallowing a rotten, or even a poisonous, word.

Now you can open your eyes. Is the day a bit dark? Pull out a word and change it.
-Charlie